We took not one but two trips down memory lane today. First off I was joined by JOHN DEBENHAM who is co-author with ANDREW SUMMERS, of a fabulous new book – London’s METROPOLITAN ESSEX. The book is a treasure trove of the fascinating history of the South Western part of what many of us still consider our county, even though from April 1965 it has actually been absorbed into London. The book tells the story of the area from the earliest recorded times to the present day and includes some remarkable, and I would suspect, little known facts. How many of us, for example, would know that King Harold (of the Battle of Hastings fame) is supposedly buried in Waltham Cross, or that those behind the Gunpowder Plot spent the night before planting their explosives, at Eastbury House, which still stands in Barking?

Listen again to what John had to say about the book right here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Metropolitan-Essex.mp3|titles=Metropolitan Essex]

Our second trip into the past was provided by Frances Clamp in our Brentwood & Billericay BYGONES feature. This week Frances was looking at a dark period of our history in the shape of the workhouse, and especially the workhouses which used to be located in both Brentwood and Billericay. Hear what Frances had to say on this subject right here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Bygones-14th-May2.mp3|titles=Bygones 14th May]

Right that’s me done for another week. Next week Frances Clamp will be looking at a mainstay of Brentwood’s economy in the 1930’s, SELO LTD – the for runner of ILFORD FILMS.

Enjoy your weekend and have a good week til next Saturday.

Scott